Tonight! A Little Beacon Blog’s second Squad Goals Member Meetup for businesses, artists, writers and non-profits who are currently subscribed to ALBB’s advertiser program or purchased an ad placement this month.
6-8:30pm at Estilo Wine Bar. Attendees get 1 Free Glass of Wine with Purchase of Tapas. Thank you owner Elizabeth Rodriguez for hosting us! The wine bar is open to all other patrons as usual.
Beacon seniors were out in the Beacon High School parking lot pre-season painting their own parking spots to their own designs. “We had a few students propose this idea a couple of years ago,” Principal Corey Dwyer told A Little Beacon Blog.
Once seniors receive a parking permit from the school, and have submitted a design for approval, they are greenlit for customizing their parking spots. “Ms. Haddeland organizes the sign-up every summer,” Dr. Dwyer continued. “We've found this to be a fun senior privilege that allows our students to showcase their interests and leave their mark on the school for the year.”
Any students who would like to identify their completed designs here at ALBB can send a photo with their name to ALBB for publishing. Students can be in the photo if they want to be, or simply submit a photo of their finished work. Email to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com
The Honorable Timothy G. Pagones passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the age of 63 at home, surrounded by his loving family. He and his wife Susan (Antalek) Pagones were the loves of each other's lives.
"On May 15, 2005, he married his soulmate, Susan (Antalek) Pagones," according to his obituary, "who remained faithfully by his side throughout their life together."
Tim was born in Beacon, New York, on April 23, 1963, and was the son of Felicia (Spinapolice) Pagones and the late Anthony "Babe" Pagones.
"Tim served as a part-time Judge for the City of Beacon before becoming the city's full-time Judge. During his distinguished judicial career, he established the first Opioid/Recovery Court in Dutchess County, created the first Dutchess County Domestic Violence Court, and started the Beacon Drug Treatment Court, which had countywide jurisdiction."
He devoted over 35 years to the criminal justice system system. "He began his career in the early 1990's as a Senior Assistant District Attorney with the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office. He later spent 14 years as an associate with the Law Firm of Pagones and Cross, P.C.," his obituary states.
According to the Press Release, the Town of Newburgh Police Department was assisted by:
The FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force
The Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center
The City of Newburgh Police Department
The New York State Police
The Orange County District Attorney's Office
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and
Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services.
The suspect, in addition to another suspect arrested days prior, are being charged federally and are in the custody of the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
What Did He Allegedly Do?
According to the Press Release:
"On August 20, 2026, at approximately 6:35pm, the Town of Newburgh Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Newburgh Mall, located at 1401 Route 300, for a report of an altercation involving a firearm.
"Patrol officers arrived on scene and located a male victim in the parking lot. An investigation was immediately initiated by members of the Patrol Division. Early in the investigation, officers located and stopped a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident a short distance from the scene. Officers determined that the operator of the vehicle was one of the suspects, and he was taken into custody without incident.
"The investigation determined that the victim had been robbed by two male suspects during the course of a pre-arranged transaction. During the incident, one suspect displayed a firearm while the other brandished a knife. Additionally, one of the suspects stole the victim's vehicle and, during the course of the theft, intentionally struck the victim with the vehicle before fleeing the area. The stolen vehicle was later recovered unoccupied.
"Due to the nature and complexity of the incident, members of the Town of Newburgh Police Department Detective Division responded and assumed the investigation.
"Over the course of the following days, detectives continued their investigation and identified the second suspect involved in the incident.
What arresting someone “without incident” can sound like, according to one witness who was in the Dollar General doorway when law enforcement ran inside to apprehend the suspect.
"On August 31, 2026, at approximately 6:20pm, the second suspect was located at the Dollar General in the Town of Fishkill and was taken into custody without incident.
"Investigators determined this to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public."
As the investigation is active and ongoing, no additional information regarding the individuals arrested will be released at this time.
Thank You Town Of Fishkill Police Department
ALBB wants to give a Thank You to the Town of Fishkill Police Department. On Thursday evening, ALBB visited them to ask questions of what is considered normal police protocol. During this time of heightened immigration enforcement, which we now know was not the root of this arrest, situations can become confusing.
Thank you to all agencies and for the release of the information.
Hopefully the Town of Newburgh Police Department will put out a second Press Release when they are able to release the names of the suspects.
PS: Based on the response to this article series, we now know that more than just a few police officers (both active and retired), Sergeants, Detectives, Corrections Officers, and Court Officers are readers of this blog. They must enjoy themselves when they know the outcome already, and are reading news reports about incidents. Some may be writing under their names, and some under made up names. Hello, and thank you for reading and contributing your comments when attempting to give factual information.
PPS: Thank you to all the ALBB readers who sent in the Town of Newburgh PD’s Press Release moments after it published! Was out on the road all day but am back at the desk now.
During this week’s Dollar General article about the taking of the man, one reader, Susan Morano, declared that I must be taking “ingestibles” because my eyes looked dilated while I drank morning coffee from my mug in my dimly lit room. “If you want information,” Susan said, “you should be making FOIL requests not phone calls. Also, I note your pupils are dilated and you’re looking right, left, up, down ... you might want to lay off the ingestibles.”
I’m not sure what Susan meant by “ingestibles,” since according to Google and the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word simply means: “capable of being ingested.” So let’s take a look at what I ingested that morning: coffee.
But first: If she mean canibs, as @greenlabsinc describes it, then she should know that I do not partake. But if I did, I would purchase from @the_station_dispensary located right here in Beacon, as they offer a variety of products for people’s needs and wants according to their body types and brain wave lengths.
As for my dilated pupils, if they were dilated: I have the distinct displeasure of reading these egregious Facebook comments during articles like this, to monitor what is being said, and take note when necessary. Therefore, my eyes do get strained. To relax my eyes, and cleanse them from what I read here, I usually go outside and take a walk in the sunshine (or rain) and fresh air.
After fixing myself coffee at home in my French Press that I purchased locally from @utensilshops years ago (coffee beans purchased from and ground at @kitchen.coffee.beacon ), I have just started taking halal collagen protein from @sunnasupplements , who sells other supplements as well. As a woman of the specific age of 49, I have noticed that my eyes can get dry, and the skin under them wrinkly. I also get eczema under my eyes from time to time.
This mug is the perfect size, glaze, and thickness to drink it from. Nice and warm and pretty. I got it from a Free Sidewalk Stuff box on the side of the road somewhere in Beacon. Or a Yard Sale. Can’t remember. If you’re the artist who made it, please tag yourself here.
TONIGHT!! Lolo’s Boyfriend Show opens at Savage Wonder on Main Street in Beacon! Tickets are only $20 and runs for 2 nights only. Do not wait on this fun night out. Grab a friend or enjoy solo. Food and Drink available for purchase!
Lolo’s Boyfriend Show Days: Thursdays September 3rd and 17th, 2026 Time: 7pm Location: Savage Wonder, 139 Main Street, Beacon, NY Tickets > Written and Performed by Lauren O’Brien, who lives in Beacon! Lolo’s Boyfriend Show is an irreverent, soul-baring solo performance following Lolo as a dream European tour unravels, sending her back to suburbia to confront love, loss, and a trail of unforgettable exes. After her punk cabaret tour collapses, Lolo returns home, surrounded by the ghosts of past relationships—from The Yogi to The Addict to The Cowboy. A promising new romance sparks a deeper reckoning, as she navigates heartbreak, identity, and the possibility of a different kind of happiness.
This bold and cathartic performance blends humor, vulnerability, and sharp storytelling into one unforgettable night. Winner of the ICI Audience Choice Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, shortlisted for Best Production, and featured Off-Broadway at Playhouse 46.
UPDATE 9/9/2026: On Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, the Dutchess County Sheriff's office responded to ALBB's FOIL request made on September 3, 2026, for any arrest made at the Dollar General on August 31, 2026.
"1.Your FOIL request was emailed to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center (JTC). I hereby certify that the JTC does not possess, nor does it have access to, the records you are seeking. As such, your FOIL request is respectfully denied.
"2. However, you may wish to contact the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department – Records Unit, which may maintain the records that you are requesting."
Sincerely, Investigator Chion D. Scott Records Access Officer Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center
Shortly thereafter at 1:06pm, Deputy Sheriff Katherine Holder #18 from the Records Division for the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office emailed:
"This email is a response to your request for information. After a diligent search of our records, I was unable to locate any reports regarding the information requested. If a different law enforcement agency responded to or was involved, I would not have access to those records. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us."
The Comments at Facebook have been wild (but not unexpected) for the story told in this article about the employee taken from Dollar General on Monday by men who did not appear to identify themselves from any law enforcement agency, aside from a tan vest that said POLICE on it.
Several readers insisted it did not happen, as the first witness was not named. Employee names were also not mentioned in the article, for protection of everyone involved.
However. Since the people in the Facebook Comments who are so intent on squashing this story, this writer will come out to say that I was Witness 1 - the one hiding in the shampoo aisle while the men told the guy to “Be quiet. We don’t hurt you.” Therefore, I have made a video (scroll down) of why I came forward as a witness and why I was originally anonymous.
Today is Thursday, and we still do not know this man’s name. Thanks to the first article, we do have a description of the man from a 2nd witness. We also have a former Assistant Manager of that Dollar General who is stalking the comments with disparaging and confusing comments, and insists that the man did “something bad” and is in an “investigation.”
So far, no local law enforcement police agency has stated that they were there. Wappingers Falls Police confirmed that the Dollar General is in the Town of Fishkill Police jurisdiction. The Town of Fishkill Police said that they did not answer a call there on Monday. The New York State Police stated that they were not there, and that they do not wear tan vests. The Dutchess County Sheriffs Office refused to comment on if they were there or not.
UPDATE 9/4/2026: Mystery solved! The Town of Newburgh Police Department in Orange County has claimed responsibility for the arrest, an named all other agencies involved. Details here.
UPDATE 9/2/2026: This is an actively updating story. Please refresh this article for updates. A second witness has come forward with description of the man taken, and of the other men and one woman they saw taking the man. Their statement is below, and their receipt from their purchase at 6:20pm. Additionally, the first witness is the writer of this article. In past reporting, where this writer happened to be in the location of where an event took place, or involved in an event in other communications, some readers of ALBB got upset that this writer quoted herself as a witness. It should be noted that in that earlier instance, the readers who were upset were directly involved in the incident. So they may have felt exposed. Video explainer of that also at the very bottom of this article.
UPDATE 9/1/2026: The Town of Fishkill Police Department confirmed to ALBB that they received no calls for service for Dollar General the night of the handcuffing. The New York State Police Public Information Officer responded, stating: “I am not seeing anything at that location. We also do not have tan vests.” The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office refused to give out information on if they attended or participated in the handcuffing. No press release from them or the Dutchess County Drug Task Force has been issued.
“I think we are to be informed what’s going on. It should be public. They could have endangered us really bad. It was so fast and out of nowhere. That’s why I felt it was ICE. They stalk and plan.”
— Witness Shopper
At 6:30pm on Monday evening (8/31/2026) at the Dollar General at 1475 Route 9d in Wappingers Falls, a male employee was surrounded by men in tan vests that said POLICE on them, handcuffed him, and took him to a vehicle waiting outside in the parking lot, according to witnesses who were shopping inside at the time. Sometimes ICE employees wear these types of vests.
“At first I thought the store was being robbed,” one witness told A Little Beacon Blog. “I was looking at the Halloween decor that just arrived, when I heard someone behind me at the cash register say ‘Be still. We won’t hurt you.’ When I turned around to look at the cash register, at least three men had surrounded a person who they were pushing up against the counter, and were putting handcuffs on him. One of the white men wearing a tan vest that said POLICE on it had short brown hair in a nice clipped style, and a clean face, no beard.”
The witness continued: “I hid behind an aisle, but no one else seemed concerned. Everyone kept shopping. Everything was pretty quiet. The guy they put into handcuffs didn’t say anything, and the men’s voices were low. I assumed the man was robbing the store and that the cashier pressed a panic button. Next thing I knew, they had all left the store.”
After the men left, one employee who had been standing in the sliding door to rotate stock on shelves told the cashier that the men were in their cars and had “calmed down a little” if the cashier wanted to go question them. The cashier then went outside to question the men who took the employee. “It turns out,” the witness continued, “the man they took was an employee of the store, and this was his second time in the store that day to shop as a customer. The employees were surprised that he was taken in handcuffs after he paid for his things.”
Another witness confirmed to ALBB that police officers in traditional uniform were also there, in addition to the men in vests. Not confirmed was if the police officers in traditional uniform were apprehending the man, or were waiting outside. Witnesses who saw the men said they were not wearing face masks. ALBB asked a store manager if the men identified which law enforcement agency they were with, and the manager answered that they could not answer that question. When asked if anyone identified themselves as ICE, the manager replied: “No comment.”
One witness said that several vehicles were parked outside, including a van and a Jeep, though they did not confirm what type of Jeep. They said that men ran into the store from both the left and the right directions. They ran past someone standing in the doorway of Dollar General and said “Get the fuck out of the way.”
After the incident, a bewildered customer said: “They WANTED him!” Everything resumed as usual, the witness said.
After Article Published, A Second Witness Came Forward
Dollar General Receipt from 2nd witness who was a customer, time stamped at 6:20pm on 8/31/2026
After this article published, another community member who was shopping in the Dollar General came forward to tell ALBB about their experience. They said:
"I was there and it looked like ICE wearing vests that said FBI and Police and Sheriff! I was coming out after buying my items with a cart. The person they took was super tall and dark skinned and made a purchase and then they stormed in. Like 15 of them surrounded him as I was coming out. Most were men in regular clothes and vests like flannels; one was female. They were in like 6 cars and vans too. And snatched him up. I was super upset because I didn’t have a clue. One dude who stormed in was like "Get the F*** out of the way" and was so disrespectful. This was outside when they was all inside and their was no need! Dude they snatched up had like a scooter outside!"
Once in the parking lot, the shopper spoke with another bystander who was a young white man in his late 20s. The shopper continued: "I was mad about being spoken to like that. A guy I was talking to in the parking lot as I loaded my car was like 'Yea that’s messed up they talked to you like that.'"
Witness 2’s response to if the men who took the guy identified themselves as with any law enforcement agency. Witness 2 TOLD ALBB: “ALL DUDE SAID TO ME WAS GET THE FU** OUT OF THE FIN WAY”
ALBB asked if this shopper saw the person who was taken prior to him being snatched. They responded: "When the guy came in, he was full of energy and smiling and said ‘Hi’ to someone. He was tall. Super tall with a black head-wrap or something. He wore dark clothes and was dark skinned."
ALBB asked if the shopper saw anything else while they were out in the parking lot. "They had him outside; like snatching him up and checking his scooter thing. Looking under it."
The shopper stated: "I think we are to be informed what’s going on. It should be public. They could have endangered us really bad. It was so fast and out of nowhere. That’s why I felt it was ICE. They stalk and plan."
ICE Prominent In Beacon In 2025
ICE was more in view in Beacon in 2025 when at least one employee of a local restaurant was taken. ICE watch groups were formed to warn about sightings from Newburgh to Cornwall to Fishkill. ICE was seen walking the streets of Beacon with different vests on. Some had POLICE on them. Read about and watch a video interview between a local mom and an ICE employee who was stalking a local back road here: “ICE Spotted Again In Beacon On Soccer Saturday - "Community Is Watching," Neighbor States (With Video)”
In the still dark hours of the early Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026, the Beacon Fire Department responded to a fire that had started on the rear brake and axle area of a tractor-trailer traveling east on I-84 near Exit 41, the exit for Beacon, NY, MidHudson News reported.
Beacon's Fire Chief Thomas Lucchesi told Mid Hudson News that Beacon firefighters got to the truck in 5 minutes and found the truck was "transporting around 30,000 pounds of explosive munitions for the U.S. Department of Defense," the article reported. Chief Lucchesi elaborated to ALBB: “It was hauling munitions for the Military, which are placarded as Class 1.1 Explosives.”
When A Little Beacon Blog asked Chief Lucchesi if the truck remained upright the entire time, he responded: “The tractor-trailer remained upright and did not overturn. According to the driver, she observed smoke and fire coming from the rear passenger-side trailer tires. She pulled over, called 911, and attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher before the Fire Department arrived.”
What Did The Truck With Explosives Look Like?
When asked if the truck was a regular truck, or a truck with protective walls on it for the explosive cargo inside, Chief Lucchesi responded: “This was a 53ft box trailer. However instead of solid walls, it had tarp like walls, I assume for easier access to load and unload the cargo.”
Firefighters extinguished the fire before it reached the cargo area holding the explosives. As of 4am Tuesday, no injuries were reported.
For trucks transporting explosives, OSHA standards state: "Every motor vehicle or conveyance used for transporting explosives shall be marked or placarded on both sides, the front, and the rear with the word ‘Explosives’ in red letters, not less than 4 inches in height, on white background. In addition to such marking or placarding, the motor vehicle or conveyance may display, in such a manner that it will be readily visible from all directions, a red flag 18 inches by 30 inches, with the word "Explosives" painted, stamped, or sewed thereon, in white letters, at least 6 inches in height."
ALBB asked Chief Luccesi if the required OSHA markings were on the truck. He responded: “The trailer displayed the DOT explosives placards.” Did the Chief obtain the truck’s license plate number? In case anyone wanted to track its journey in license plate tracking cameras? “I did not obtain the vehicle’s license plate number,” he told ALBB.
Where Specifically Was The Truck On I-84 When It Pulled Over?
The Hudson Valley Post reported that the truck was on the bridge, but ALBB checked with Chief Luccesi to verify that reporting. He responded: “The tractor-trailer was located on the right shoulder of I-84 eastbound, between the Exit 41 off-ramp and Route 9D. The incident did not occur on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.”
Also it should be noted that the photo of the firefighters putting out the blaze on a truck used in the Hudson Valley Post article was not a photo of the truck. That was a stock image from somewhere not Beacon. The Beacon Fire Department was not able to obtain photos of the incident, as they were busy containing the fire from reaching the explosive cargo.
Where Was The Truck Of Explosives Going?
When asked where the truck was coming and and where it going, Chief Luccesi responded: “I believe the truck was coming from Virginia and was heading to Connecticut.”
New York State Police and New York State Bridge Authority assisted the Beacon Fire Department with the incident, during which traffic was closed both ways.
Gonna spare you the photo on this edition of ALBB's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, but we have published, with exclusive video and photos, the incident on Friday afternoon, front row of Main Street at the DMV parking lot, where the man with gray hair in the Lake George shirt who apparently is a graduate of Beacon High School, is accused of mooning a car with a child in it, then demonstrates for onlookers what he did, then did it again in full view while the two police officers who were de-escalating him stepped away. There has been no proven connection between his actions, and the partial lunar eclipse that also just happened. Read all about it here. For those who enjoy Facebook drama (ALBB does not, but has to be there to monitor the page), there's quite a bit of tea spilling in that comment thread.
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
For those who want to kick a** instead of watch it, Mountain Stream Budo is the local martial arts studio for you. Lock in to your focus, skill and flow. Right now, they are running a BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL!!
Two weeks of FREE classes upon registration!
Karate for kids ages 4-6, 7-12, and teens!
Kobudo for ages 8+
Jujitsu and swordsmanship for ages 13+ Trial Class Info >
No experience necessary; beginners welcome! Martial arts for all ages, skill levels and fitness levels! See their website for details of all these arts.
Please email info@MountainStreamBudo.com for more information.
Project Pedal Power Day: Saturday, August 29th, 2026 Time: 1-5pm Location: Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park, 23 Long Dock Road
Neighborhood Vitality Corp., in partnership with Scenic Hudson, The HUB, and presented by Adam's Junk Removal, is excited to host the Project Pedal Power Bike Distribution Event. Beacon's Professional Firefighters are also there participating. Children attending can receive a new bicycle, helmet and safety equipment! While supplies last.
Project Pedal Power is dedicated to helping children experience the freedom, confidence, and joy that comes with owning a bicycle. Whether a child is receiving their very first bike or needs a larger one as they grow, this event helps make active, healthy living accessible to more families throughout our community. Information >
Stony Kill's Open Barn Days: Saturdays and Sundays Time: 11am-1pm
Step into the barn and experience the Open Barn program. Meet the heritage livestock up close; learn about the important role these unique breeds play in agriculture; and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience for all ages.
COEXISTENCE MY ASS! Day: Saturday, August 29th, 2026 Time: 7:30pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Presented by Jewish Voices for Peace Hudson Valley: "Join us for a screening of COEXISTENCE MY ASS! in Beacon, NY on August 29. Filmmaker Noam Shuster Eliassi grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. But as the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter." Register >
Lolo's Boyfriend Show
Tickets are only $20. This veteran-owned venue includes the opportunity to purchase food and drink. Read more about this show, which was written and performed by a Beacon local, and why it was so popular at Edinburgh Frindge. Learn More > Get Tickets >
SEPTEMBER'S ALBB MEMBER EVENT
Business Blog Squad Goals Meetup:
A Monthly Soiree For Little Beacon Blog's Advertisers Day: Thursday, September 10th, 2026 Time: 6-8:30pm Location: Estilo Y Vino, 173 Main Street, Beacon NY
This is a time for member advertisers to check in with each other, learn how to support each other, and come away energized with new ideas and revived conviction of moving forward. Bring a friend. Read how our last one was > Details >
The Film Lab at the Yard Presents The Outdoor Micro Film Festival:
Beacon Short Film Showcase Day: Sunday, September 20th, 2026 Time: 7:30pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon NY
Enjoy a free-to-attend outdoor micro film festival featuring the shorts of Beacon movie makers, plus a screening of 1922’s Nosferatu with @zedstarseven providing the soundtrack. Beer and food available for sale. Got a short film you want to screen? Email labyardfilms@gmail.com
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
What goes well with Hudson Valley pasture raised beef? Tomatoes. Find them at Cold Spring Farmer's Market, where you find Eggbert’s Free Range Farm every Saturday! Get your cuts of steak from them as well. 🍅
Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market 11am-5pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Saturdays: Pick-Up Pre-Orders Only at Newburgh Farmer's Market Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm Farm Fridge: Shake and Grind, 190 S. Plank Road, Newburgh SHOP ONLINE:Order Online DELIVERY: 🚚 Free Website >Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
The Station Dispensary
463 Main Street, Beacon NY
This time when we visited The Station Dispensary, we asked for something for our older ladies. Or, ladies in thier late 40s-50s. Right away, the budtender led us to Eaton Botanicals Watermelon Gal Pal. Good for PMS, perimenopause, and any time of the month. Featuring 5mg low-dose THC, CBD to balance the body, Lion’s Mane to clear the mind, chasteberry to regulate hormones, magnolia bark to improve mood, and vitamin B6 to boost serotonin, it helps turn hormonal waves into calm seas. With a refreshing watermelon flavor, Gal Pal lets you feel good and go with the flow. Website >Instagram > The Station Dispensary is a Sponsor!
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
Carter's is INSPIRED this week. Pistachio encrusted rack of lamb with pomegranate sauce is on the Specials Menu. Go now before all the orders are in.
Back patio open! Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
"wellness girlie summer"
That's what they are serving at Chakra Bowl inside the Hudson Valley Food Hall. They prescribe morning walks, iced matcha, extra avocado, deep breaths, glowing skin, nervous system repair, and eating food that actually makes you feel good. Get your nutrition in a bottle, bowl or smoothie from Chakra Bowls.
PIGGY BANK 2.0 446 Main Street, Beacon NY
Straight from the smoker. Here’s the Piggy Bank's smoked paprika rubbed pulled pork paired with a fresh and light house salad and a salty baked potato. It’s time to have your meal the way you like it. Instagram > Piggy Bank 2.0 is a Sponsor!
ZIATUN BEACON 244 Main Street, Beacon NY
Summer hasn’t ended yet! Grab a refreshing glass of Rose Lemonade, made best at Ziatun, winner of Best Middle Eastern Cuisine by Hudson Valley Magazine readers! Featuring the owner himself, Kamel Jamal. Instagram > Ziatün is a Sponsor!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon NY
Could not agree more. Says Beacon Bread Co.: "Nothing could beat a mimosa with fresh squeezed OJ. 🥂🍊Grab a mimosa kit with your brunch at Beacon Bread!" This full service bakery is famous in Beacon for their freshly squeezed OJ. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor!
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Programs are enrolling for Back To School season at Mountain Stream Budo!
Classes available for all ages - kids 4-12, teens and adults! Stop in any time for a free trial class. No experience necessary; beginners welcome.
Pick from (or combine!):
Traditional karate
Okinawan weapons
Jujitsu
Swordsmanship Learn More >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
On Friday afternoon at around 3:25pm on Main Street in Beacon on the corner of the DMV Parking Lot where the public picnic table is, there was a large presence of City of Beacon Police responding to at least one situations of a complaint of a man allegedly mooning a car that had a child in it.
Man identified as Dean Catalano after he allegedly mooned a car with a child in it, then proceeded to moon two more times in police presence.
The man who allegedly mooned the car was wearing a royal blue shirt that said "Lake George, New York" on it, wore a baseball cap, and appeared to be with a yellow Velotric bike. Later, this man mooned at least two more times in the presence of Beacon Police and in front of others, including a known community member of the public picnic table. That video is at the bottom of this article.
The man denied mooning the car with the child in it. There are cameras on Main Street that Beacon Police can access to see if he did it or not. It is unconfirmed if that footage is available and was searched while police were with the man, who later mooned the community member in this video.
Several witnesses identified this man as Dean Catalano, from Beacon, who has been featured in the Highlands Current in 2019 for answering their question series.
Multiple people were filming the incident on their phones while others gathered round to see what was going on. Some simply walked on by. A few people shouted at the mooner, including one person wearing a pale pink Spirit of Beacon t-shirt.
In this video exclusive to A Little Beacon Blog that can be seen below, four minutes of the situation went like this:
Man identified as Dean Catalano charging at man wearing pale pink Spirit of Beacon shirt as they exchanged words after Dean was accused of mooning a car with a child in it.
The Dean shouted to the man in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon t-shirt: "…filming I'm going to bust your ass."
The Beacon Police closed in on Dean at that point as the man in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon shirt walked away to the other side of the street.
The man in the pale pink t-shirt responded: "Who’s going to bust my ass?"
Dean said to no one in particular: "I can't even go for a fuckin’ bike ride...!"
A different man shouted: "Relax, brother."
Dean continued to the man in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon shirt. Dean shouted: "I'm going to put you in a fuckin' ambulance."
The man in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon t-shirt who dean the Mooner threatened to assault and put into an ambulance.
The man in the Spirit of Beacon t-shirt responded: "I don't want to fight with you. I don't even know who you are."
Dean advanced again, this time making it to the sidewalk, and the police again approached him to deter him.
Dean threatened: "You're going to know who I am!"
The man in the pale pink t-shirt responded: "I don't know who your crank[...] ass is."
That Spirit of Beacon man then walked to the Sunoco gas station across the street from Dean.
Man identified as Dean Catalano being pulled back by a Beacon Police Officer as he charged toward the man in the Spirit of Beacon t-shirt.
The Beacon Police spoke to Dean, while motioning across the street as they seemed to plead with Dean to de-escalate himself. Both police officers talking to Dean appeared to be listening to what he was saying, and then shook their heads in disagreement.
One of the police officers seemed to say "Relax!" to which Dean responded "I didn't do a fuckin' thing!"
The man in the pink shirt appeared again, packing a pack of cigarettes, and watched from across the street as the scene unfolded.
Dean continued talking to the police officers as they walked around, seeming to be waiting for something. People continued walking on the sidewalk, going about their afternoons in Beacon. Some pushing strollers with kids, some just with themselves.
Meanwhile, Dean began talking to someone else to explain his action, saying "I didn't do nothing of that. I went like this:"
Dean offering to demonstrate to someone how he mooned earlier.
Dean then demonstrated how he lifted his shirt, and pulled the right side of his pants down over his right butt cheek.
"I'll moon everybody now...," Dean shouted.
As he said threatened to moon everybody, the police officer nearest to him extended his arm to deter the action. Dean walked away toward the public picnic table and insisted to anyone listening that he did nothing wrong.
Dean continued: "Mother fuckers is not in my league." The police officer said something to him, to which Dean responded: "Give me 20 seconds, bro."
Dean took a drink from his water bottle and placed it firmly on the table. A community member, Flackey, was sitting at the table, as they usually do every day. Dean appeared to be talking to Flackey while police were looking away, and then suddenly said "...right NOW!" and pulled his pants down again over his right butt cheek, exposing both cheeks, and mooned Flackey.
After he mooned the second time while police were there but looking away, he quickly put his blue shirt back over his shorts and straightened himself, looking back at the police officers, who by then, were a little ways away from him.
Meanwhile, there was another man further down the sidewalk along the DMV parking lot on Elm Street who was also shouting at the situation. Beacon Police Officers were dealing with that man as well. It is unconfirmed what that man was saying. Dean seemed to motion to him once with this hand with an internal wave, as if to say "Come closer."
Dean continued speaking, perhaps to no one in particular, or to the community member, who appeared to not respond. People continued walking by on their days.
Dean removed his hat, and a police officer lowered both his arms in a de-escalation movement that seemed to say "Calm it down." Dean continued to speak in an agitated manner, putting his hat back on and shrugging his shoulders.
According to witnesses, no arrests were made at that time.
The yard sign in this photo is at Sha’s Mobile gas station, next to Charlotte’s tribute to Saint Padre. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Catoberfest has come around again, and the musical lineup has been released. The yard signs are out, which means that it’s your chance to once again attend on September 20, 2026 from 3pm-7:30pm this benefit for Mid Hudson Animal Aid at Hudson Valley Brewery.
You can support the no-kill, free-range cat sanctuary in Beacon, New York by joining them for an afternoon of craft beer, food, live music and family fun, all to support the fabulous felines of Mid Hudson Animal Aid.
Says one of the event’s organizers, Ira Chavis: “We are happy to announce our musical program for this years Catoberfest. We would like to welcome all of our veteran performers back for what will be an amazing afternoon of music all to support the Felines at Mid Hudson Animal Aid. Come down to the Hudson Valley Brewery on Sunday 20-Sept from 3:00pm to 7:30pm to celebrate our Fall Feline Festival.”
There's been a slow-drain in ALBB's bathtub for a number of years. Manageable. But then it 100% clogged, and Brandon from Stryker Plumbing snaked it out. No chemicals would touch it. However. Not 5 minutes after that clog passed, did the toilet drain 100% into the kitchen below. And then the sink started leaking as well, intermittently. We are now on a project to find the leak, and assess how to fix it. Rip out the bathroom floor? Or come in through the beautiful kitchen ceiling.
Cameras, augers, snakes and crowbars have all been used so far in this investigation.
The annual Beacon Back 2 School Block Party from I Am Beacon and Key Food was a success ☀️ Thank you for the opportunity to participate as a community table. Thank you to those ALBB readers 📰 who came over to say “Hi.” Love knowing you’re out there. It’s part of why we pop up this tent to paint faces. 📖 You all are the characters in the pages we publish - it’s your story.
Kenya Gadsden was the MC, encouraging tea and keeping the beat moving through raffle winners. So many community tables were out to give people the chance to meet these resources face to face.
Mayor Lee Kyriacou visited tables, Councilperson Lastar Gorton participated, and former Councilperson and current Dutchess Legislator Molly Rhodes attended.
Mothers Against Genocide has reported that New York Magazine editors have decided to call Israel’s murders of people in Gaza, Palestine, a genocide. The in their Letters section for the week of August 24, 2026, editors state they have been “allowing” the term “genocide” in their pages for some time, since before the August 10-23rd issue was published to celebrate New York’s diaspora of Palestinians, Iranians, Yemenis, and their neighbors became controversial.
The article stated: “The feature prompted a strong reaction, from celebration to condemnation, across social media, newsletters, and local and international news outlets. Copies of the issue sold out online, and multiple city newsstands placed reorders; at the same time, some longtime readers canceled their subscriptions in protest of material they found antisemitic.”
“Some objected to the magazine’s use of the term genocide to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza. Close readers will recognize that this was not a decision specific to this series. This past fall, after an extensive review of genocide scholarship and interviews with multiple experts in the field of genocide studies, the magazine’s editors decided the term was an accurate description of the atrocities in Gaza, that accusations of antisemitic intent were in fact obfuscating an overwhelming scholarly consensus, and that its use would be allowed in our pages.”
“Jasmine El-Gamal argued that ‘the meltdown’ over the ‘series is very telling, and underscores just how much some people want us, as SW Asian/Middle Eastern/North African communities who make up the beautiful melting pot that is America, to exist quietly, invisibly, obediently … We’re proud of our cultures, and we’re proud to be American, and both of those statements can be true at the same time, habibi.’”
“The Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid called Zaina Arafat’s introductory essay ‘a wonderful piece on how NYC met its Muslim moment,’ and the Lebanon-based L’Orient–Le Jour wrote that the issue “symbolizes the emergence of a new era’ and argued that the “most striking symbol of this media breakthrough is the cover, entrusted for the first time to a Palestinian artist and photographer, Dean Majd.’ One commenter, a Palestinian American raised on the Upper East Side, wrote, ‘honestly never thought I’d see the day NYMag put the word ‘Palestine’ on its cover without a giant, de-humanizing asterisk underneath it.’”
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
